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Sip or Skip? Rating Every Drink on 2025’s Starbucks Holiday Menu

Nadia Mitic Student Contributor, Columbia University & Barnard College
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Columbia Barnard chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

The holidays are the best excuse to splurge on fun drinks and sweet treats. This winter, Starbucks has geared up for another signature holiday menu, featuring some new and some iconic items. While most of the new drinks and treats have already been launched at Starbucks cafes, some will not debut until December. I tried the newest seasonal drinks from their very own red and green holiday cups so you know exactly what to expect during the most wonderful time of the year!

Peppermint Mocha: The Beloved Holiday Classic

If you are a fan of hot chocolate mixed with sweet mint, this one’s for you!I prefer this drink to be hot, but Starbucks also has a frappuccino option. The decadent chocolate syrup blended throughout the drink is the perfect holiday touch! So, if you are looking to spice up your hot chocolate this winter, this is definitely a drink that is worth it.

Iced Gingerbread Chai: For The Spice-Lovers

I got this drink at the beginning of November with high hopes. The classic Chai topped with gingerbread cold foam,syrup, and pumpkin spice sounded fun. In reality, it just tasted like a regular old chai with a bit too much milk—still good, but not great. This drink is a skip on the menu for me. Perhaps trying the alternative Hot Gingerbread Latte could be more up your alley.

Caramel Brulée Latte: The Iconic Sweet-Tooth Drink

I am a big caramel fan, so this warm drink was perfect for the transition from fall to winter. It is a sweet drink, but the slight nutty notes in the drink balance out the sweetness. Starbucks also tops it off with their classic whipped cream and crunchy caramel brulée sugar bits. It is truly a sip of holiday nostalgia!

Iced Sugar Cookie Latte: Creamy and Buttery Twist

This was quite the twist in the holiday menu and will resonate with your inner child. This latte tastes very sweet and buttery, like a melted-down cookie. There are also notes of vanilla in the drink, topped off with festive sprinkles to add to the sugar cookie picture. I got the iced version, which was not my favorite and a skip for me. The ice did not mix well with the sugary rest of the drink, so a hot latte could be the better alternative.

Overall, these new and nostalgic drinks were fun to try! It made me ready for the festive holiday spirit and is perfect to spice up your winter. Feel free to try these Starbucks drinks for a limited amount of time this holiday season, enjoy them while you can!

Nadia Mitic

Columbia Barnard '29

Nadia Mitic is a Freshman at Barnard College from Washington Heights. She loves playing volleyball, exploring and traveling, hanging out with friends and family, and baking. She loves STEM and hopes to major in Environmental Science.